It is my absolute pleasure to rise today to discuss a recent funding announcement in my riding of Flamborough–Glanbrook.

On April 12, alongside the Minister of Education, I announced that our government is investing over $31 million in the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board for the new Waterdown Bay Elementary School and an addition to Mount Hope Elementary School. This investment will support the creation of 682 student spaces and 176 licensed child care spaces for my community. Parents and representatives from the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board have been influential throughout the process. They have been strong advocates for our community and demonstrated our need for this funding.

Due to its unlimited potential, Flamborough–Glanbrook is one of the fastest-growing communities right across Ontario. By investing in early learning, we are laying the foundation for the next generation of leaders and innovators to build on this success.

Schools and access to child care are important for Ontario’s students and parents. Our students deserve to learn in state-of-the-art, modern facilities.

Mr. Speaker, our government recognizes the importance of getting new schools and expansions to existing schools built as quickly as possible for our growing communities.

Wherever I travel in Ontario, and particularly in my riding of Flamborough–Glanbrook, the number one issue raised by Ontarians, by residents, is affordability. People are struggling to make ends meet. They’re struggling with increased mortgage rates. They’re struggling with the increased cost of food. They’re struggling to pay hydro bills. And now, as of April 1, they’re going to see yet another increase in the price of fuel due to a carbon tax.

As you mentioned, you come from a northern Ontario riding—it’s my hometown, actually, in Nickel Belt—and I note some people may be making $100,000 a year, which can go a long way. But in this day and age, if you’re the sole earner in a family of four, you’re still struggling with a $100,000 paycheque to make ends meet. Will you stand with our party and oppose this unnecessary carbon tax that will be imposed on Canadians—and, in particular, Ontarians—on April 1?

I’m thrilled this morning to introduce Murray Opstein, who is here with the Chicken Farmers of Ontario. He is also from my riding of Flamborough–Glanbrook. Good morning.

Flamborough–Glanbrook.